Gifting Money or Item?

What do you think as a better gift for a friend on a special occasion? Gifting of money or gifting an item of interest? I most of the times gift money and think it to be better than any material gift. Please share your views on this!

A gift from the heart is always the best. I trinket with an inscription, a plaque with words about your friend. Something personalized for your friend. If the friendship is merely an aquaintance then I would say money or a gift card.I would never give a true friend of mine money, it is too impersonal. I always enjoy recieving gifts from the heart, homemade or personalized. Money or how much the item cost is never important. One of my most cherished gifts of all time was hand made and did not cost it's giver a dime. On the other hand if your friend is really materialistic then you might just give them cash, or something designer as those types of people are rarely happy with gifts from the heart.

STATUS AND FINANCIAL OUTSTANDING
In this case, much better to look at their life status and financial outstanding. If they are in well wealth with firm financial outstanding, money is NOT the perfect choice to be a gift. They need something which the value of gift is above money. Not necessarily expensive but a compliment of friendship. A little but big impact.
If they are in money needy group, of course, money is a matter and we have to appreciate the needs of it by giving them money, at least, they can use the cash money to support their expenses involved in managing the occasion. A small amount but does raise up the mutual respect and great understanding between both parties.

It really depends I think. I think sometimes money is a better gift because it means that they can spend the money on what they need or what they want. However, personal gifts, as in gifts that you actually pick out and give them, especially if you know that they want it, can be very special. However, I think it really depends on the person and what you know they need at that point in their lives.

Hi mitraa, how are you? Haven't seen you around lately and I missed you. Well, depending of what kind of friend you will give the gift money can be a good choice. If it is a very close friend and you know that he/she is having financial problems money will be the better gift. But for all the others friends I think that something you know they will like is better. I think that if you give something as a gift it means that you take your time and feelings to choose and buy the gift. It show for them how you care and value their friendship. Money don't means nothing, only that you have it to give and don't want to take your time to buy something for them.
It is only my opinion. You know your friends so if you give them money you may be right.
Cheers and don't be away much time.

I used to give gifts but then once someone created so much fuss over my gifts and criticised so much that I regreted giving it to her at all. I was shocked and hurt because she never once thought of the effort it had taken me to get those things for her. I have since then abstained from buying any gifts for anyone. I just handover the money and be done with it. Its hurting if someone changes your gift or shows diaproval at your choice so why attach any emotions to it.

Not to offend anyone, but money is my LEAST favorite gift to give, or to receive. I would much rather give a gift that took some thought and effort. Usually I give a hand made gift that I thought of especially for that person. For example, my Father owns a book store, and is very much into giving to others. For fathers day, I'm making him a clock from a book. The book I'm using to make it is called "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. It's a children's book about a tree that gives to one little boy through his whole life. I know my dad would much rather receive this gift that I have really put my heart into than any amount of money (especially any amount I could afford. I'm poor)

Hi friend,
The best to give a gift for friend is a special item.I think giving a gift to friend
a item is the best but giving money is not a perfect gift.
I always gives to my friend is material item only not the money.
Have a nice day.

In my case, I would prefer giving an item to a friend rather than money. As you can see, when you give an item, it is there. It can create a remembrance of such occasion and this occasions are usually special. By giving money, they are most likely spent on something. Although giving money can also be considered most especially if your friend needs it more for such occasion.

i would rather try to gift an item. if you give some one money it still shows that you care, but it also shows that you don't know them that well and couldn't think of what else to get them. an item that they will like is the best to me, and it shows that person that you do know them and you actually took the time to figure out what they would like.

I think giving gift items are more appreciated than money - but of course it depends on the situation of the recipient, if he/she/they are hard on money then money gifts would be more appreciated. However, for friends and family members, I prefer buying them things that they wouldn't normally buy for themselves :)
Thanks for the response on my discussion!

Personally , I prefer giving Gift Vouchers from a reputed store .. like Shopper's Stop / Lifestyle etc ..
Its not too impersonal like money , but at the same time , gives the person the freedom to shop any item they desire ..
The flexibility of varying the amount of the gift voucher , makes this an ideal option .
Many friends of mine , who have received the vouchers from me during various occasions , have appreciated the thought .
What do you all think ?

I will always believe cash is the best gift. You never really know what a person wants or needs. I would much rather give cash in an envelope for them. I am known for this in my family as well. I have three birthday's in My. my daughter will get $100.00 cash may 12th. My brother will get $50.00 on May 17th and My nephew $20.00 on may 31st. They are all going to be thankful for there envelopes.

Hello Sir This is very rare question and I really like such sensitive question. In my opinion money is not gift item it is just to compensate the expenditure which some one of your close spent. But kind /item is the best gift to give some one so that they can memorize you at the need or at the time of their anniversary .
pkc3000

Hi Mitraa,
It is already an absored tradition here in the Philippines to ask the friend what specific gift would he/she wanted. This is especially true during Weddings. We wanted to be practical so we ask the couple what gifts would they wanted to receive. If they said they prefer cash, we will give cash as a gift. If they said, "any will do." it is a safe answer and we can take it as anything from cash to kind.

hi mitraa, my dear friend, i think i dont share that because i like to gift item rather than gifting money. money i gift only to those wher i have recieved money or they are my in-laws freind relations or there relatives because they dont gift any item or thing. they like to give money. i like to gifting items. personal choice. and i enjoy giving things to people. i love to give return gifts also. i dont remember i have ever in my life gifted money to someone who is my friend, or any near and dear to me. i have always gifted things of their use or show pieces .

I personally would prefer gift money until you really know what to get for that person as an item! I find that many ocassions, people don't really find the gift items useful and therefore they have to sell it later or struggle to sell it. Therefore I really think gift money is better these days!